Height adjustable pull-up bar apparatus

ABSTRACT

A removably mountable, height adjustable pull-up bar allows the device to be rapidly mounted at a number of different heights to the pair of vertical support members. The pull-up bar interconnects a pair of brackets, the top end of each bracket containing a pin which slides into apertures on the sides of each vertical support member from a first direction while the bottom end of each bracket includes a U-shaped member which may be clamped around the front and/or sides of a vertical support member and secured thereto.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to weight training and physical fitness apparatus, and in particular to height adjustable pull-up bar apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Physical training equipment comes in different configurations intended for different purposes. One classic training device is the pull-up bar which is used to develop upper body strength, particularly in the arms, shoulders and chest. Pull-up bar apparatus which may be utilized with pre-existing parallel support structures currently exist, however, they are typically secured to the support structure at a fixed height. A single height pull-up bar may be awkward to use by persons whose height is not exactly suited for the current height at which the bar is fixed. Moving the bar oftentimes requires tools for undoing multiple screws and/or other fasteners and reinstalling the pulled bar at a more desirable height, a process which breaks the rhythm of the trainees work out.

Accordingly, a need exists for a height adjustable pull-up bar which may be easily and quickly removed by the user from its current height position and reinstalled at a different position height relative to its respective support structure.

A further need exists for a height adjustable pull-up bar which may be removed by the user from its current height position and reinstalled at a different height position without any tools.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein is a height adjustable pull-up bar apparatus which may be utilized with a pair of pre-existing parallel support structures having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough to facilitate attachment of the pulled apparatus at the number of different heights above ground. According to one embodiment, a removably mountable pull-up bar allows the device to be rapidly mounted at a number of different heights to the pair of vertical support members. The pull up bar interconnects a pair of brackets, the top end of each bracket containing a pin which slides into apertures on the sides of each vertical support member from a first direction while the bottom and of each bracket includes a U-shaped member which may be pivotally clamped around the front and sides of each vertical support member and secured thereto with an adjustable pin, which, in one embodiment, secured to the vertical support members from a second direction different than the first direction.

According to one aspect of the disclosure, removably mountable pull-up bar apparatus comprises: a pair of brackets, each bracket having a first end securable to one of the support structures from a first direction and second end mountable to one of the support structures from a second direction; and a bar extending between and secured to the brackets. In various embodiments, the second direction may be the same, as opposite to, or perpendicular to, the first direction.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a method for mounting a pull-up bar apparatus to pair of support structures each structure, comprises: A) providing a removably mountable pull up bar apparatus comprising a bar extending between and secured to a pair of brackets, each bracket having a first end securable to one of the support structures and second end mountable to one of the support structures; B) mounting the first end of each bracket to one of the support structures from a first direction; and C) mounting the second end of each bracket to one of the support structures from a second direction. In various embodiments, the second direction may be the same, as opposite to, or perpendicular to, the first direction.

According to still another aspect of the disclosure, an article of manufacture comprises: a bar extending between and secured to a pair of brackets, each bracket comprising a projection extending outwardly from a first end of the bracket, the projection shaped to be received within an aperture on a support structure, and an aperture extending through a second end of the bracket, the aperture shaped to retain a movable locking member therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustratively shown and described in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a removable pull-up bar apparatus as attached to a typical support structure in accordance with present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the removable pull-up bar apparatus in accordance with present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is top view of the removable pull-up bar apparatus of FIG. 2 in accordance with present disclosure; and

FIG. 4 is a right side view of the removable pull-up bar apparatus of FIG. 2 in accordance with present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a height adjustable, removably mountable pull-up bar apparatus 20 in accordance with the disclosure may be utilized with existing commercially available support structure 10, such as any of the Again Faster Rig Base series of products available from Again Faster, Boston, Mass. The Again Faster Rig Base product series is available in either floor or wall mountable configurations and in varying height configurations, e.g. ranging from 10 feet to 24 feet. Support structure 10 comprises a plurality of vertical support members 12A-B which may be fixed relative to each other by a top connecting member (not shown). The vertical support members 12A-B may be characterized by a substantially rectangular tubular cross-section with a plurality of circular apertures 16 extending through opposing side walls thereof. At least two apertures 16 are substantially centered on an axis which is paralleled with the bar 25 of pull-up apparatus 20, as will be explained in greater detail, hereinafter.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, a height adjustable, removably mountable pull-up bar apparatus 20 in accordance with the disclosure comprises a bar 25 extending between and secured to a pair of brackets 22A-B.

In the illustrative embodiment, bar 25 may comprise a hollow cylindrical tube or solid bar and is fastly secured to brackets 22A-B proximate the center apex there of, typically by welding. Note that bar 25 is disposed perpendicular to the axis of vertical support members 12A-B but substantially parallel to the direction by which at least one end of apparatus 20 may be secured to support structure 10, as explained herein.

In the illustrative embodiment, each of brackets 22A-B has a substantially V-shaped body member with a first or top end securable to one of the vertical supports 12A-B from a first direction via a top securing mechanism 24A-B, and, further has second or bottom end mountable to one of the vertical support structures 12A-B via bottom securing mechanisms 30A-B, respectively.

The securing mechanism 24A-B of each bracket 22A-B comprise a projection 26 extending outward from one side of the V-shaped body member of a bracket 22. Projections 26 are shaped to be received within an aperture 16 of one of the vertical support members 12A-B. The illustrative embodiment, the projection 26 on each of brackets 22A-B may be in the form of a cylindrical pin attached to a different side of bracket 22A-B, respectively, so as to enable the pins to be slid into apertures 16 as the pull-up bar 20 is slid in a first direction, which may be either right to left or left to right, at the designer's discretion.

In the illustrative embodiment, projections 26 have a substantially circular cross-sectional profile to match the perimeter shape of apertures 16 in vertical support members 12A-B of support structure 10 and to allow the bottom ends of brackets 22A-B to be pivoted or rotated into place so that securing mechanisms 30A-B thereof may be secured to support structure 10, as explained herein.

Securing mechanisms 30A-B at a second or bottom end of each brackets 22A-B comprise an L-shaped member 33, a movable locking member 36, and a threaded nut 34. As illustrated in the figures, the U-shape of securing mechanisms 30A-B may be formed by securing or welding L-shaped members 33A-B, respectively, to the bottom end of brackets 22A-B, respectively. One side of the L-shaped members 33A-B may include an aperture for receiving the movable locking member 36, as described herein.

In the illustrative embodiment, movable locking members 36A-B, may be Implemented with pins or screws which are movably securable to vertical support members 12A-B by at least partial insertion into apertures 16 other than those into which projections 26A-B are inserted. In one embodiment, one or both of movable locking members 36A-B comprises screw having a 1-8 threaded shaft and a knurled head and which are receivable within a 1-8 threaded nuts 34A-B, respectively, welded to the surface of one of L-shaped members 33A-B and aligned with the aperture extending through each L-shaped member. In another embodiment, one or both of movable locking members 36A-B comprises any of a number of commercially available pop-pin designs, also known as clamp pins, weld-on pins, or spring-loaded plungers, which may be secured to nuts 34A-B and receivable within one of apertures 16 until at least a portion of each pop-pin rests within its respective aperture 16 on vertical support member 12. It will be obvious to those reasonably skilled in the arts that other securing mechanisms may be used to implement movable locking members 36A-B, including any of positive locking pins, spring-loaded plunger pins, quick release pins, etc.

In one embodiment, movable locking members 36A-B are both securable to vertical support members 12A-B from a second direction which is different than the direction in which pins 26A-B are inserted into vertical support members 12A-B. In another embodiment, movable locking members 36A-B are both securable to vertical support members 12A-B from a direction which is the same as the first direction. In still another embodiment, movable locking members 36A-B are securable to vertical support members 12A-B from different directions, i.e. one from the left and the other from the right.

The method for mounting a pull-up bar apparatus 20 to support structure 10 is as follows. First, with the pull-up bar 25 pivoted away from support structure 10, the projections 26A-B at the top ends of brackets 22A-B, respectively, are aligned with and slid into a first set of apertures 16, one on each of vertical support members 12A-B, respectively, from the same direction which is right to left in the illustrative embodiment. Note that pins 26A-B extend substantially through one set of parallel sides of the substantially rectangular vertical support members 12A-B. Next, pull-up bar apparatus 20 is pivoted downward until each of vertical support members 12A-B are received into the U-shaped cavity defined by securing mechanisms 30A-B, respectively. Thereafter, movable locking members 36A-B and nuts 34A-B, respectively, are aligned with a second set of apertures 16, one on each of vertical support members 12A-B, respectively, and threaded therethrough until at least a portion of each screw of the movable locking member rests within its respective aperture 16 on vertical support member 12. In the embodiment where one or both of movable locking members 36A-B comprises a pop-pin, the movable locking members 36A-B are aligned with a second set of apertures 16, one on each of vertical support members 12A-B, respectively, and inserted therethrough until the movable locking member is at least temporarily secured to vertical support member 12.

In an alternative embodiment to that described above, at least one or both of securing mechanisms 30A-B at the bottom end of each brackets 22A-B may be securable to vertical support members 12A-B from the same direction as pins 26A-B, respectively. In such configuration, the screw or pop-pin and nut 34 of one or both of the movable locking mechanisms 36A-B are disposed on the opposite side of the respective bracket member 22, than as illustrated in the Figures.

One or more of the constituent components comprising pull up bar 20 may be made from steel or other rigid materials or combinations thereof. For example, pull-up bar 25 may comprise a 1 inch steel tube or solid bar welded to brackets 22A-B which may comprise ¼ inch steel with the configurations, as illustrated in the Figures. Similarly, L-shaped members 33A-B may comprise ¼ inch steel welded to brackets 22A-B, respectively, as also illustrated in the Figures.

It will be obvious to those reasonably skilled in the art that modifications to the apparatus and process disclosed here in may occur, including substitution of various component values or nodes of connection, without departing from the true spirit and scope of the disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A removably mountable pull-up bar apparatus for use with a pair of support structures, each structure having at least two apertures extending at least partially therethrough, the apparatus comprising: a pair of brackets, each bracket having a first end securable to one of the support structures from a first direction and second end mountable to one of the support structures from a second direction; and a bar extending between and secured to the brackets.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first end of each bracket has extending therefrom a projection shaped to be received within an aperture of one of the support structure.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the projection at the first end of each bracket and the aperture extending at least partially through each support structure have circular perimeter profiles.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second end of each bracket defines a U-shaped member disposable about an exterior portion of one of the support structure.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein each of the support structures has a plurality of apertures extending at least partially therethrough, and wherein the U-shaped member at the second end of each bracket further comprises a movable locking member secured thereto and at least partially insertable into one of the plurality of apertures of the support structures.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein at least one of the movable locking members is securable to a support structure from a second direction.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the second direction is a direction which is one of the same as, opposite to, or perpendicular to, the first direction.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bar extends along an axis parallel with the first direction.
 9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the bar comprises a hollow tube of rigid material.
 10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the bar comprises a solid cylindrical body of rigid material.
 11. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the second direction is a direction that is the same as the first direction.
 12. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the second direction that is a direction opposite to the first direction.
 13. A method for mounting a pull-up bar apparatus to pair of support structures each structure, the method comprising: A) providing a removably mountable pull-up bar apparatus comprising a bar extending between and secured to a pair of brackets, each bracket having a first end pivotally securable to one of the support structures and second end mountable to one of the support structures; B) pivotally mounting the first end of each bracket to one of the support structures from a first direction; and C) mounting the second end of at least one of brackets to one of the support structures from a second direction.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the second direction is a direction opposite the first direction.
 15. The method of claim 13 wherein the second direction is a direction parallel to the first direction.
 16. The method of claim 13 wherein the second direction is a direction perpendicular to the first direction.
 17. An article of manufacture comprising: a pair of brackets, each bracket comprising: i) a body member extending between first and second ends thereof; ii) a projection extending outwardly from the first end of the body member in a first direction, the projection shaped to be received within an aperture on a support structure, and iii) an aperture extending through a second end of the body member, the aperture shaped to retain a movable locking member therein; and a bar extending between and secured to the pair of brackets.
 18. The article of manufacture of claim 17 wherein at least one of the projections has substantially cylindrical shape.
 19. The article of manufacture of claim 17 wherein at least one of the movable locking members is securable to the support structure from second direction which is one of the same as, opposite to, or perpendicular to, the first direction.
 20. The article of manufacture of claim 17 wherein at least one of the movable locking members comprises one of a screw and a pop-pin. 